Obama on a roll in new poll

President Obama is on a roll in a new Opinion Research Corp./CNN poll that measures approval – and disapproval – of bills approved by this year’s high-flying “Lame Duck” Congress.

The poll listed a bevy of issues – tax cuts, unemployment benefits, gays in the military and nuclear arms – and then asked: “Please tell whether you approve of the way each of the following have handled those issues under consideration during this session.”

Fifty-six percent of those surveyed gave thumbs-up to Obama’s performance, with just 41 percent voicing disapproval.

Congress received far less favorable marks: Just 42 percent approved the performance by Republicans in Congress, with 53 percent disapproving. Democrats in Congress received approval by 44 percent of those surveyed, with 52 percent disapproving.

The poll of 1,000 American adults was taken Dec. 17-19.

It was released on a decidedly up day for the 44th president. Obama began with a morning ceremony signing legislation to repeal the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy on gays in the military.

The START strategic arms treaty with Russia won Senate ratification by a 71-26 vote: 13 Republican senators voted for ratification. And Senate Republicans backed down – albeit with covering fire from Fox News – and allowed passage of legislation to aid 9/11 First Responders.

“I would say to my friend from Kentucky: Just because you say it, doesn’t make it true,” said Kerry. “Our friends from the other side of the aisle have a habit of reporting things that have been refuted by every fact there is.”

The Opinion Research/CNN poll also measured the standing of both political parties.

The survey found an even division, 47 percent approving and 47 percent disapproving, on the Democrats.

Opinion Research asked if President Obama had done enough to cooperate with Republicans: 59 percent said yes. By contrast, only 28 percent agreed that Republicans in Congress have done enough to cooperate with the president.

The 44th president’s approval rating from liberal Democrats has declined from 88 percent to 80 percent. But Obama’s thumbs-up rating among moderate Republicans has climbed from 20 percent to 29 percent.